The future of community halls, including Witham's popular Spring Lodge Centre, has been spelled out.

Owner Braintree Council held an open meeting at the Public Hall in Witham last night to discuss the four options it has drawn up.

The council's "preferred option", Option B, involves modernising the Spring Lodge building and bringing it into line with disabled access regulations.

Part of the site would be sold to fund the regeneration.

Community halls at Great Bradfords, in Braintree, and Forest Road, in Witham, would also be demolished. The sites would be sold and a new hall built at Rickstones Pavilion, Witham.

The rest of the council's halls across the district would also benefit from modernisation and access improvements.

Graham Butland, Braintree Council's executive member for health and community, said: "I think we've come up with a preferred option which is fair to stakeholders but also fair to the council taxpayers."

But some people are opposed to any sale of assets. Witham resident Dennis Ford said: "Braintree Council seem to have lost their way in preparing to sacrifice the future for present benefits. It's a truism to say of land that they're not making any more of it."

Published Wednesday April 7, 2004

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